- What is my child really fascinated by, so I make sure that particular
thing is included in my childrens playground equipment? (i.e. when you go
to a public playground, what are their favorite things to do/play with?)
Is it the swing, the climbers, the pretend car, the slide, the fort, the
tunnels, ropes, or monkey bars...

- Will my childrens playground equipment be durable enough and have
enough variety to it so I will only have to make this big purchase ONCE?
(i.e. will it "grow with my child")

On, and on the questions go...

How do I know? Because I TOO have been there! I
know I can't answer these questions FOR you (sorry, wish I could) about
your childrens playground equipment, but they are important questions to
think about. If you haven't already asked yourself these questions then
you might want to do so before (or during) your search through the HUGE
variety of childrens playground equipment choices online.

OK, so, there is one thing we, as parents (or
grandparents, teachers, aunts, uncles, day care providers etc.) can all
agree on one thing... KIDS CRAVE MOVEMENT EXPERIENCES AND NEED TO BE
ACTIVE!

Using childrens playground equipment is going to be HOW
CHILDREN:

learn

stay physically active and get physically fit

develop motor skills and coordination

learn to play by themselves or with friends

use their imagination

explore their environment and the things their bodies can do

master developmental tasks and build self-esteem

THESE MOVEMENT EXPERIENCES (which we refer to as
"heavy work") ARE ESSENTIAL TO A CHILD'S NORMAL DEVELOPMENT;
PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND SOCIALLY. But, I am sure you already knew
that didn't you.

Just a side note: If you have found this page on
my site because you have a child who has a sensory processing disorder,
(if not, but you are wondering if your high energy child does, then
click here ) please understand that it is EVEN MORE CRITICAL your
child has the proper outlet for their energy!

The children's playground equipment I have selected, which
you will see below, is what I believe to be some of the best and most
essential sensory integration equipment there is (and hopefully the most
affordable for you)!

If they are HYPERSENSITIVE, use this playground equipment
to gradually introduce them to various movement experiences. If they are
HYPOSENSITIVE (
click here to understand the difference ), use this playground
equipment to give them the extra movement (and "heavy work") experiences
they need and crave. Either way, your child WILL benefit... become more
adventurous, or become calmer!

OK, so now that you have begun to answer some of the
aforementioned questions AND you know some (just some) of the many
benefits of playground equipment , let's explore the children's playground
equipment options available!

Below you will find the best playground equipment I
could find for you... the highest quality for the best prices! Just
think of me as your "personal shopper". I am truly hoping the variety you
see below will help you in your decision as to what is BEST for your child
(oh, and that you can AFFORD).

I know it is a big decision, and in some cases a big
investment (although, truly, I have found some very affordable ones!)...
but, REMEMBER THE BENEFITS AND THE FACT THAT THIS MAY BE A ONE TIME
PURCHASE WHICH WILL LAST THROUGH YOUR CHILD'S ENTIRE CHILDHOOD (they
ARE built for that).

Oh yes... I forgot one of the GREATEST benefits of childrens playground equipment! Trust me on this one, I saw it happen
with my own child and I remember what a GREAT feeling it was! All of a
sudden your child will be at that "magic age" when they don't have to be
as closely supervised or played alongside of anymore. You look out your
living room window and there they are, happy as can be!

(Boy, there was many a day that I felt silly as an adult
at the playground crawling through all those little tunnels, down the
slides, across the rope walkway, on the swings, etc. and wondered if they
would even support me!)

It is amazing to see. They are now entertaining
themselves for what seems like hours (and sometimes is) pretending,
playing, climbing, jumping, sliding, and imagining! Yeah, that's right, BY
THEMSELVES! You know what THAT means don't you? Yup, MORE "YOU TIME"!

Now you have the freedom to do what YOU want with YOUR
time. Yes, I know, you may have to cook dinner, do the laundry, or help
your other child with their homework, etc., but, you may also have time to
sit and read a good book with your feet up and the occasional eye on your
child.

(Please don't confuse this with unsupervised play that
is not age appropriate or could be "environmentally dangerous"-- i.e., busy
roads, strangers approaching, near a pool, no fence around the yard, etc.)

The bottom line is this...you truly will "get what you pay
for" when it comes to childrens playground equipment. The more it has, the
better quality it is, the better it will be long term. (But, I have tried
to keep financial limits in mind!)

So, take that all in and let this knowledge give you the
power to have FUN choosing the best childrens playground equipment for
YOUR kids!